Here is the new addition to our home .... introducing "Grady". When this picture was taken Grady had just arrived in our home. He was just a little over 2.5 yrs. and is a maltese-shiu tsu. Soon (2 mos.) after we had Riley put to sleep I managed (somehow) to convince Wayne to take a look at a dog I found a picture of on the "Victoria Adoptables" website. Seeing this little dog, who the previous owner had named "Wally", and then taking him on a little walk .... well, I was smitten. We were allowed to take him home on a 2 week trial period and never once, or since (Sept. 13, 2012) have we ever thought of taking him back. He is wonderful and totally in love with me. He likes Wayne well enough, is excited when Wayne comes in after being away during the day, etc., but he follows me everywhere & gets anxious if he can't find me when searching. Some things are just meant to be in a person's life and, without question, Grady and I were meant to go through this life together.

Great visit in December 2011 with the little Humphrey family who bought a new home and I went to Squamish to help with whatever I could. So, I hung out with my grandkids every opportunity I could and was able to see Coral's skating lesson, swimming lesson and, of course, like every time Grandma visits, Cameron and Dylan got haircuts! Won't be going back to Squamish until March when Wayne and I will make a visit. Miss being around them as soon as I say "goodbye".

Winter 2012

Can't believe that it has been so long since I posted! I on retired Oct. 29, 2010. I made up my mind and then decided on the date and once I did that the next step was to tell my employer which I did in April of 2010. Surprisingly (well at least it surprised me) once I had decided on the actual date I just set the date in my sights & that was that. I did not want a "party" and as it turned out a work colleague decided to quit & take another job outside of the organization. We had worked together for 22 years. She didn't want a party either, but we both agreed to the suggestion that we share in a farewell which was held in our Board Room with colleagues, family & politicians we had both served for those many years. Wayne, Marilee, Jamie & Aiden, Allison & Coral were able to be there with me & we had a "girls only" get together afterwards @ a local pub which I loved. I didn't have to ease into retirement. It felt like one day I was an employee and the next day I was released to live my life in whatever way I saw fit to do so AND YES IT FELT WONDERFUL :-)